Research shows that increasing access to information communication and technology (ICT) increases economic growth. In Mali, access to ICT products – especially the Internet – is extremely limited. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), one percent of Malians have access to it; this is one of the lowest rates in Africa.

For the past couple years, Iâ€™ve been supporting the Youth Empowerment through Arts and Media (YETAM) project in 6 African countries.Â One of the best things about being involved in the project is the opportunity to work with some incredible people who are developing the program strategies and implementing YETAM on the ground. Â Bedo, theÂ child media program coordinator in Plan Mali, is one of those people Iâ€™ve been lucky enough to work with.